Mold turret for cigar machines



March 31, 1953 J. A. NEUMAIR 2,633,135

MOLD TURRET FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June 3, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR JOSEPH A. NEUMAIR ATTORNEY March 3 J. A. NEUMAIR 2,633,135

Mow TURRET FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June 3, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOSEPHA. NEUMAIR BY WM ATTORNEY March 31, 1953 J. A. NEUMAIR 2,633,135

MOLD TURRET FOR CIGAR MACHINES Fi led June 5, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3521556 l 40 2d 54' 24 I 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH A. NEUMAIR ATTORNEY March 31,1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 3, 1947 ww Nb 3 Q 7 MN ww bh w \w Nq 0N\ w H v Willi v m N 1 lll I Hlll'lll b- IMH M H Q Q D H. I

Mamba 1 JOSEPH A, NEUMAIR aw 9 w 3 ATTORNEY Pa tented Mar. 31, 1953 MOLDTURRET FOR CIGAR MACHINES Joseph A. Neumair, Hollis, N. Y., assignor toInternational Cigar Machinery Company, a corporation of New JerseyApplication June 3, 1947, Serial No. 752,042

17 Claims. (01. 131-80) This invention relates to cigar machines, moreparticularly to improvements in the mold turrets of short filler cigarmachines.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide a mold turretconstruction wherein there is greater accessibility to the variousmechanisms located within the mold turret. Heretofore the shapers ormold covers which coact with the molds on the periphery of the turret toshape cigar bunches inserted in the pockets of the molds were operatedby mechanism including a pair of cams arranged at either end of the moldturret. Therefore the mechanisms inside these cams were inaccessibleunless one of the cams was removed. In my construction the mechanism foroperating the mold covers includes only one cam located adjacent one endof the turret Wherefore access may be had through the other end of theturret to Various mechanisms inside the turret.

" A further object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism foroperating the mold covers. In prior constructions wherein a pair of camswere provided it was difficult to exactly align these cams with eachother. Therefore binding would result if these cams were not exactlyaligned with each other when the operating rods connected to the moldcovers were operated by the cams to move the same into or out of thepockets in the molds. 'Moreover my improved advantage of reducing thewidth of the bearing needed to support the turret and providesaccess tothe interior of the turret from the end thereof on which it issupported.

A further object is to provide a mechanism for indexing the turret whichmay be more convenientlyassembled. In my indexing mechanism there isprovided an indexing gear carrying rollers which engage the track on arotating indexing disk and thereby intermittently revolve the indexinggear.

The indexing gear is mounted on apivoted bracket which may be swungabout its pivot to position the rollers on the indexing gear in theproper operative relationship to the indexing disk. The bracket alsocarries a gear train driven from the indexing gear, and driving a'euttershaft carrying cutters which trim.the ends of the cigar bunchprotruding from' the pocket in the mold at the trimming station. Thusthe bracket may be readily installed and adjusted to position theindexing rollers in the proper operaive relationship to the indexingdisk, whereby the turret will be intermittently revolved to advance themolds to the various loading, shaping, trimming, and ejecting stations.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism, whichmay be readily removed from within the turret, for operating the ejectorwhich delivers the shaped cigar bunch from the mold at the ejectingstation to the bunch transfer.

Still another object is to provide improved mechanism for tripping thebunch transfer to cause the same to grip the cigar bunch after it hasbeen ejected from the mold at the' ejecting station. This mechanism isarranged adjacent the open end of the turret and is readily detachablefrom its operating mechanism. Therefore it may be installed and removedwithout difiiculty.

Other objects of this invention are to simplify the construction bywhich the molds on the mold turret, which are provided with pockets intowhich the cigar bunches are inserted to be shaped, are retained on theperiphery of the mold turret. In this connection a further object of theinvention is to provide a construction which will permit the use ofdifferent lengths of molds, as required for various lengths of cigarbunches, on the periphery of the same mold turret. Heretofore the moldswere inserted in slots formed in the periphery of the moldturret andtherefor different mold turrets having slots of various lengths wererequired for different lengths of molds.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a construction ofthe molds which will permit them to be assembled on the periphery of themold turret without any machining of the mold faces and with simplecylindrical machining of the turret. For this purpose the molds may beprovided with lateral faces which are formed on a radius of the moldturret and their inner faces are of cylindrical curvature and concentricwith the periphery of the mold turret. Therefore the molds may beassembled side by side on the periphery of the mold turret and suitablysecured thereon. Preferablythe molds may be formed by die-casting themto the exact dimensions required, so that they may be installed on theperiphery of the mold turret without machining them. As the length ofthe molds will conform tov the required dimensions thereof, their endswill be located in the proper relationship to the cutters which trim theends of the bunch protruding from slots in the ends of the pocket formedtherein if the molds are accurately located on the periphery of theturret. Accordingly the ends of the molds will not need to be machined.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view theinvention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafterfully described and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of my improved cigar bunch molding mechanism,as seen from line II of Fig. 3, portions of the same being broken awayto expose the turret indexing means and the operating means for theassociated mechanisms;

Fig. 2 is also an end elevation of my improved mechanism, taken on theline 22 of Fig. 3 and showing the operating mechanisms for the shapersand the bunch ejector;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the improved cigar bunch moldingturret; and

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevation of the turret taken on line 4--4 ofFig. 1.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention isexemplified in a cigarbunch mold turret mechanism adapted to mold or shape cigar bunches forcigarillos 'or cheroots, but it will be understood that if molds of theproper shape and size are used cigar bunches suitable for other types ofshort filler cigars may be formed. My mold turret mechanism may beprovided with a mold turret I2 rotatably mounted between two mainstationary housings I4 and I6 (Figs. 3 and 4). Housing I4 is securelybolted to a bracket I 8, and housing I6 is bolted to a stationaryhousing 20. Bracket I8 and housing are in turn secured to suitablesupports forming a part of a short filler cigar machine which i equippedwith my improved mold turret mechanism. Referring to Fig. 3, it will beseen that housing I 4 is secured to the outer end of a semi-cylindricalstationary supporting member 22 whose inner end is secured to housingIt. The inner end of member 22 has an annular portion, which isconnected by spokes to a central hub 23, the annular portion beingsecured to housing I6. On the periphery of turret I2 are secured anumber of cigar bunch molds 24 which are provided with radial lateralfaces I! abutting adjoinin molds, and inner or bottom faces 2!concentric with and secured on the periphery of turret I2. The molds 24may be formed in any suitable manner as by die-casting, and are securedto the periphery of turret I2. Screws 25 pass through holes I I formedin molds 2'4 and are threaded into the mold turret I2 to retain themoldsthereon. These holes II extend radially of the periphery of turretI2 and are countersunk to admit the heads of screws '25.

Each of the molds 24 has a top face I5 provided with a pocket I9 adaptedto receive a cigar bunch and advance it successively to shaping stationSI, trimming station T, shaping stations S2 "and S3, and ejectingstation B. These pockets I9 have a configuration conforming to thedesired shape of the cigar bunches inserted therein. Slot I 3 areprovided at each end of these pockets through which the ends of theinserted cigar bunches protrude to be trimmed oif at the trimmingstation T. After a cigar bunch B has been inserted, either manually, ormechanically, by m'ecl ianisn'i such as shown in the patent to J. F.Hals'tead No. 2,443,453 dated 'June '15, 1948, into 4 a mold at theloading station L (Figs. 1 and 2) the turret I2 is advancedintermittently towards the shaping station SI by an indexing mechanismwhich will now be described.

These molds 24 may be of varying lengths ranging from the width of theturret down to its width between the screws 25 (see Fig 4). Heretofore,molds were inserted between peripheral supports or retainers on thesurface of the mold. These peripheral supports or retainers correspondedin length to the mold and would therefore prevent cutting off theprotruding ends of the tobacco if a smaller mold were inserted. The useof a smaller mold pocket in the present invention requires onlyrelatively simple adjusting of the cutting elements I32 and I34. Hence agiven turret is adaptable to molds of various lengths.

.As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, a ring gear 26 secured to anindexing disk 28 is driven continuously by a gear 30 meshing with a gear32 which is part of a gear train, not shown, that is driven from themain drive of the cigar machine. Indexing disk 28 is secured to a shaft34, Fig. 3, revolubly supported in bearings in housing 22 and the hub 23of member 22. The disk 28 has a circular track 36 formed on itsperiphery with a low section 38, Fig. 1. A cam lug 40 is secured to disk28 in a position opposite the track section 38 to admit therebetween oneof the index rollers 42 pivotally mounted on a gear 44. Gear 44 ismounted on the hub of and secured to the flange of sleeve 46 by screws48 (Fig. 4). Sleeve 46 is fastened to a shaft 5i] mounted in a supportbracket 52 adjustably fastened to housing I6 by screws 54. Secured tothe other end of shaft 50 is a gear 56, Fig. 4, meshing with a gear 58which is formed on the periphery of the outer race 60, Fig. 3, of alarge ball bearing support for the turret I2. The inner end of turret I2is fastened to race 60. Thus it will be seen that the turret I2 rotatesintermittently between housings I4 and It and around member 22. Theinner race of the ball bearing support for turret I2 is split tofacilitate assembly and consists of two sections 62 and 64 which aremounted on the periphery of the inner end of member '22 and are alsofastened to housing I6. Between these two races are a plurality of ballbearings 66, Fig. 3. Thus during each revolution of disk 28 the turretI2 will be turned sufdciently to advance 'each mold 24 to the nextstation. This indexing of the turret will advance each mold successivelyto the respective mechanisms at the loading, shaping, trimming andejecting stations.

The holes 53 in bracket 52 through which screws 54 are inserted areenlarged to permit said bracketto be adjusted. In case there is any playbetween the index rollers 42 and the track 36 of disk 28, the bracket 52may be adjusted to eliminate the same, thereby insuring more accurateindexing and smoother operation at all times. Since the screws 48 passthrough enlarged holes '49 in the flange of sleeve 46, when screws 48are loosened, the sleeve 46 may be turned relative to gear 44. Sincesleeve 46 is secured to one end of the shaft 5!! on whose other end issecured the gear 56 meshing with the gear 58 connected to turret I2, theturret is thereby adjusted c'ircumferentially to secure alignmentbetween each mold and the respective mechanisms at the loading, shaping,trimming and ejecting stations. It may be noted that both of theseadjusting devices are simple in construction and are readily accessible.Moreover the adjustment of sleeve 46 may be performed withoutdismantling the mold turret which was not possible heretofore.

' "When a cigar bunch is advanced bya mold to the shaping station SI,there are two other cigar bunches in the respective molds at the shapingstations S2 and S3. All three bunches are therefore pressed into theirmolds simultaneously by their respective shapers or mold covers, notshown. These shapers are similar to those described in theabove-mentioned patent to J. F. Hals'tead, Patent No. 2,443,453. As theshapers enter their respective mold pockets I0, they impart to the cigarbunches in these pockets the desired shape. For this purpose the pocketsin molds 24 and the operating faces of the shapers have a predeterminedconfiguration corresponding tothe desired shape of the cigar bunch to beshaped in themold pockets. These shapers are mounted on cover plates 68;I0 and I2 at their respective stations SI, S2, S3. Plates I0 and I2carry electric heating elements I4 and I8, respectively. Each heatingelement imparts heat to its respective shaper to dry the cigar bunchduring the shaping thereof. A thermostaticcontrol "I8 mounted on heatingelement I6 is connected to each heating element 14 and I6 by means notshown for temperature regulation thereof. This thermostat I8 isactivated only by heating element I0. This amount of control has beenfound sufiicient in practice although, of course, a similar thermostatcould also be mounted on heating element I4.

,Each cover plate 68, 10, I2 is detachably mounted on pairs of paralleloperating rods 80, 82, and: 84, 86 and 88, 90, respectively. Theseoperating rods are slidably supported in suitable integral bosses ofhousing I6 and I4 and are-arranged radially of turret I2. Rods 80 and 82are supported in bosses 82 and 94 of housings I8 and I4 respectively.Rods 84 and 88 are slidably supported in boss 96 of housing I6, and rods86 and 80 are slidably supported in boss 98 of housing I4. The innerends of rods 80 and 82 are slotted and pivotally connected to one end ofthe links I00 and I02, respectively. The other ends of links I00 and I02are pivotally connected to the slotted arms I04 and I06 of the bellcrank levers I08 and H0, respectively, which are fastened to theopposite ends of a shaft I I2 loosely mounted in suitable bearings thatare'an integral part of supporting member 22. The relative position oflevers I08 and H0 is as shown in Fig. 3, namely, inside housings I6 andI4 respectively. Levers I08 and I I0 are also provided with integralslotted arms H4 and H0 which are pivotallyconnected to one end of rods II8 and I20. The other ends of rods l I8 and I are bifurcated and arepivotally connected adjacent the bifurcations to the inner ends of rods84 and 85 respectively. The bifurcated portions H9 and I2I of connectingrods H8, and I20, respectively, are located in the slotted inner ends ofrods 88 and 00- and engage rollers I22 and I24 respectively, mounted oncross-pins passing through the slotted inner ends of rods 88 and 00.Lever I08 is'provided on its arm II4 with an integral boss IIS on whichis pivotally mounted a cam roller I28 engaging with a cam track I28 cutin the inner face of index 28, Fig. 3. The cam track I28 has apredetermined shape to operate the shapers at shaping station SI, S2,and S3 simultaneously in properly timed relationship with the rest ofthemachine.

It might be pointed out here that in earlier machines of this type thateach shaper which was mounted on a pair of operating rods were actuatedfrom a pair of identical cams. Therefore, when the machine wasassembled, the operating rods were entirely enclosed and hence wereinaccessible. In case said pair of cams were not exactly aligned,binding would result when the operating rods were lifted. A torque wasalso created in the old type rods due to the type of assembly whichcreated further binding. Moreover the construction for raising all theshapers had a certain amount of lost motion. However in this presenttype of construction, there is only one operating cam instead of twowhich precludes the possibility of binding by unequal oamming action,and the type of linkage employed in this machine insures simultaneousaction of all three shapers.

H For easy detachment or exchange of these shapers the cover plates 68,I0 and 12 are provided with a slot (not shown) at one end engaging withastud I5 held by its respective operating rod. The opposite. end of eachcover plate also has a slot and a circular conical indentation (notshown) engaging with the lower conical portion of aspring mountedlocking member I30 supported and guided by a suitable stud held in theother operating rod. For a more detailed description of thisconstruction reference may be made to the above-mentioned patent of J.F. Halstead. It might also be pointed out that heating elements I4 andI8 can be removed from their housings II and I3 on covers 10 and 12,respectively, so that the cigar bunches can be shaped with or withoutthe aid of heat, as desired.

Heating elements I4 and I6 are of a kind commonly known as a cartridgetype. They are cylindrical in form and are slidably inserted in housingsII and 13. The housings 'II and I3 are functionally integral with theirrespective covers I0 and I2. In practice, these housings are generallyof a different type of metal and are secured by screws to theirrespective covers.

After the bunch B has passed shaping station SI it is advancedintermittently as previously described until it reaches trimming stationT. The ends of the cigar bunches protrude from the slots in the ends ofthe pockets formed in molds 24, as shown in the case of the lowermostbunch B in Fig. 3, until they reach the trimming station T. At thisstation they are cut off while passing a pair of rotary trimming knivesI32 and I 34, Fig. 4. The construction and operation of knives I32 and I34 is similar to the knives shown in the above-mentioned Halsteadpatent. These knives are of a somewhat oval shape and rotateintermittently in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 1 when amold pocket passes the trimming station. The intermittent motion of:knives I32 and I34 is controlled by the gear 44, Fig. 4, which mesheswith a gear I 38 which may be formed integrally with or secured to agear I38 loosely mounted on a stud I40 held in bracket 52. Gear I38meshes with a gear I42 secured to shaft I44 supported in bushing I48held in bracket 52, the bushing I 46 being inserted into a suitableopening in housing It through which shaft I44 projects. A coupling I48connects the projecting end of shaft I44 to the knife shaft I50 on whichthe trimming knives I32 and I34 are secured at either end of the turretmolds, as shown in Fig. 4 The other end of shaft I50 is supported in asuitable bearing bracket I52 (Fig. 2) secured to housing I4. The abovementioned bushing I46 is attains 7 tight in bracket 52 while the portionthereof in housing I6 acts as a pivot point about which the bracket 52pivots when screws 54 are loosened in holes 53 for the adjustment ofsaid bracket to remove any excess play between index rollers 42 andtheir track 36. The coupling I48 has a shoulder on one end which fitsfreely into the hole in housing I6 for bushing i 46 and abuts againstthe end face of the same.

A feature of this invention is that the bracket 52 with'all itscomponent gears and shafts may be removed as follows. The set screw incoupling I48 bearing against shaft I44 is loosened and the three screws54 are removed and the entire unit including gear 56 may be removed incase of necessity. Ahole I53 is provided in housing I6 to'allow gear 58to pass through. This removable feature is also a convenience permittingsub assembly on the bench of the entire unit.

After the bunch B has passed the trimming station T, it is advancedintermittently by the turret towards shaping stations S2 and S3 Where itis successively shaped by the shap'ers at these two stations, asheretofore mentioned. The cigar bunch, now properly formed, trimmed andshaped, continues advancing to ejecting station E. At this station, thecigar is ejected from the mold by a set of suitable ejecting rods I54,Fig. 3 mounted on a cross bar I56 detachably secured to the top of asleeve I58 slidahly mounted on a post I60 removabl'y secured in asuitable boss I59 of member 22 by a set screw I6I as seen in Fig. :3.Sleeve I58 is provided with an integral arm I62 projecting at rightangles to the same in which there is formed a U-shaped slot 164 which isengaged by a roller I66 mounted on an arm I68 of a cam lever I securedto a shaft I12 loosely mounted in suitable bearings of member 22, Fig.3. Cam lever I is also provided with another integral arm I14 on whichis mounted a cam roller I16 engaging a cam track I18 in a lifted cam I80suitably secured as by a set screw I19 to the end of shaft 34, Fig. '3.This cam acts in properly timed relationship with the rest of themachine to eject the finished bunch at the correct moment.

In order to prevent sleeve I58 from turning and causing misalignment ofthe ejecting rods I54 with aligned holes I92, I94 in the turret and moldat the; ejecting station E, which will be hereinafter described, the armI68 of lever I10 is provided with an enlarged boss I82 (Fig. 2) having aflat face against which roller I66 is mounted. The flat face of saidboss is in contact with a flat side face I85 (Fig. 3) of arm I52 ofsleeve I58. Said sleeve is also provided with another integral arm I86extending from said sleeve and diametrically opposed to arm I62, Fig. 2.This arm I86 is also provided with a finished boss having a flat facewhich engages with the fiat face of an-). other finished boss I88 onlever I10 (Fig. 2). In order to maintain contact between these two-,pairs of flat faces on arms I62, I86 and lever I10, a collar I96 issecured to one end of shaft I12 on which lever I19 is secured (Fig. 3).The ejecting rods I54 are operated by the mechanism just described tolift the finished bunch out of the mold at the ejecting station E. Therods I5 3 pass through suitable holes I92 in the turret I2 which arealigned with holes I94 in the molds. The finished bunch is lifted into aposition between the open jaws I96 of a bunch transfer device W similarto one described in Patent No. 2,334,174, as shown in dotted lines inFig. 3. As the cross bar I56 in which the ejecting pins 154 are mountedis raised, one of its ends comes in contact with the upper end of a C-shaped member I98 secured to the lower end of a plunger 200 slidablymounted in a suitable boss integral with the top of housing 14, Fig. 3.The plunger is thus carried upwards. When the finished cigar bunch beingejected from the mold approaches its uppermost position a protruding pin2-62 secured in the upper portion of said plunger contacts an ill-shapedpin 204 protruding from the toggle joint of a toggle 206 to which thejaws "I96 of the transfer device W are secured, and pushes said pinupwards to close said jaws. Pin 28% of said "Patent 2,443,453corresponds functionally to Lshaped pin 2'04 herein. Therefore, when thefinished cigar bunch has arrived at its highest position between theopen jaws I96, the closing of these jaws is effected and the fin"- ishedcigar bunch is firmly held in the transfer device W while it istransferred to a device of conventional construction for applying awrapper to the cigar bunch.

In "order to guide and prevent the turning of plunger 280 and stop sameon its return, the upper portion of the plunger is rectangular in shapeand slides in a slot in the -upper portion of its supporting boss.Plunger 20a is lowered by its own weight, or by the engagement of crossbar I55 during its downward movement with the lower end of cshaped'mernber I98. Thus the plunger 200 will be returned to itslowermost position illustrated in Fig, 3.

The open end construction of this machine as shown in Fig. 2 provideseasy access to parts and allows same to be checked and tested fortightness or looseness of cams, cam rollers, levers, gears and linkages.It also allows certain parts to be inserted and easily replaced as canbe shown by the following illustration.

A broken ejecting pin (previously necessitating disassembly of theentire unit) may be replaced by detaching cross bar I56 from sleeve I58.The transfer tripping plunger 260 may be removed by loosening o shapedmember I99 and then re moving the plunger. The set screw IBI holdingpost its in member '22 may be removed and the post slid upinto sleeveI58, andboth post and sleeve may then be taken out. Lever I10 may beremoved from shaft I12 when the set screw I'1I holding it on said shaftis loosened. The set screw I19 holding cam I to shaft 34 may be loosenedand the cam taken out. This accessibility is due to the unique ballbearing type of support of turret I2 which allows the inside of theturret to be free of any incumbrance. The ball bearing support alsofacilitates smoother operation of the machine. Moreover theconstruction. of this machine allows the entire unit to be benchassembled and tested before assembly with the main cigar machine.

What is claimed is:

.1. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollow turret, of arevoluble support connected to one end only of said turret, wherebyaccess may be had to the interior of the turret through the end of saidturret which is remote from said revoluble support, a series of molds onsaid turret, each of said molds having a pocket adapted to receive acigar bunch, means for intermittently rotating said turret to advanceeach of said molds successively to a shaping station, a shaper adaptedto enter the pocket in the mold at the shaping station and coacttherewith to shape a cigar bunch located therein, members connected tosaid shaper for operating it, said opcrating members extending radiallyof said turret, a stationary support within said turret, a singleconstantly rotating cam adjacent said revoluble support, a pair oflevers fulcrumed on said stationary support and connected to a pair ofsaid operating members, and a cam follower on one of said leversengaging said cam whereby said operating members will be operated tomove the shaper into the pocket at the shaping station.

I 2. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollow turret, of arevoluble support connected to said turret, a series of molds secured onthe periphery of said turret, each of said molds having a pocket adaptedto receive a cigar bunch, means for intermittently rotating said turretto advance each of said molds successively to a plurality of shapingstations, a plurality of shapers adapted to enter the pockets in themolds at the shaping stations and coact therewith to shape cigar buncheslocated therein, and. mechanism connected to said shapers for moving thelatter into the mold pockets at the shaping stations, said mechanismincluding a single rotating cam only and single cam roller only operatedby said cam and linked to said shapers to simultaneously move saidshapers into the pockets at the shaping stations. v

' 3. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollow turret, of arevoluble support connected to one end only of said turret comprising aninner stationary ball bearing race and an outer revoluble race having adiameter substantially equal to the close diameter of the hollow turret,means securing said outer race to the periphery of the hollow turret, aseries of molds secured on the periphery of said turret, each of saidmolds having a pocket adapted to receive a cigar bunch, and rotary meansfor intermittently rotating said turret to advance each of said moldssuccessively to a predetermined position.

4. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollow turret, of arevoluble support connected to one end only of said turret, a series ofmolds secured on the periphery of said turret, each of said molds havinga pocket adapted to receive a cigar bunch, and means for intermittentlyrotating said turret to advance each of said molds successively to apredetermined position, mechan'lsms to coact with said molds at apredetermined position, said revoluble support including an innerstationary race, an outer revoluble race and ball bearings supportingsaid outer revoluble race and said inner stationary race, saidrevoluble: sup port having a diameter substantially equal to thediameter of the hollow turret to admit said mechanisms into the hollowturret through the end at which said turret is mounted.

5. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollow turret, of arevoluble support connected to one end only of said turret, a series ofmolds secured on the periphery of said turret, each of said molds havinga pocket adapted to receive a cigar bunch, and means for intermittentlyrotating said turret to advance each of said molds successively to apredetermined position, said turret rotating means including a gearsecured to said turret, a pivoted bracket, a pinion mounted on saidbracket and meshing with said gear, a constantly rotating indexing diskhaving a track, an indexing gear mounted on said bracket and'connectedto and driving said pinion, and equally spaced rollers on said indexinggear engaging said track to cause said indexing gear to beintermittently turned as each of said rollers successively engages saidtrack to advance each 10 mold successively to a predetermined position,whereby said rollers may be located in proper operating positionrelative to said indexing disk by turning said bracket about its pivot.

6. In a cigar machine, the combination with a revoluble turret, of aseries of molds secured on the periphery of said turret, each of saidmolds having a pocket adapted to receive a cigar bunch and said pocketshaving slots at their ends through which the ends of the cigar bunchprotrude, means for intermittently rotating said turret to advance eachof said molds successively to a station at which the ends of the cigarbunch protruding through said slots are trimmed, mechanism for trimmingthe protruding ends of the cigar bunches including a pair of rotaryknives arranged to trim the protruding ends of the cigar bunch at thetrimming station, a shaft on which said knives are mounted, said turretrotating means including a constantly rotating indexing disk coaxialwith said turret and having a track formed thereon, a primary gearconnected to said turret and coaxial therewith, a secondary gear meshingwith and driving said primary gear, an indexing member connected to anddriving said secondary gear, rollers mounted on said indexing member,each of said rollers being adapted to engage the track on said indexingdisk successively whereby said indexing member will be turned and saidturret will be intermittently rotated, a bracket pivotally connected tosaid cutter shaft, said indexing member and secondary gear being mountedon said bracket whereby said bracket may be turned about said cuttershaft to adjust said rollers relatively to the track on said indexingdisk.

7. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollow intermittentlyrotating turret; of a series of molds on the periphery of said turret,each of said molds having a pocket adapted to receive acigar bunch, saidmolds and said turret being provided with aligned perforations and theperforations in the molds communicating with said pockets; and means forejecting the cigar bunch from the mold at the ejecting station of saidturret including a stationary support arranged within said turret, ashaft secured to said support and extending radially of said turret, acarrier having a hollow shaft slidably mounted on said first-mentionedshaft, said hollow shaft having a fiat lateral projection, a series ofpins secured to said carrier and arranged to pass through theperforations in said turret and the aligned perforations of the moldlocated at the ejecting station to eject the cigar bunch from said mold,and a device for moving said carrier outwardly on said first-mentionedshaft to eject the cigar bunch from the mold pocket at the ejectinstation including a member on said device to engage said lateralprojection to prevent rotation of said carrier.

' 8. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollowintermittentlyrotating turret; of a series of molds on the periphery of said turret,each of said molds having a pocket adapted to receive a cigar bunch,said molds and said turret being provided with aligned perforations andthe perforations in the molds communicating with said pockets; and meansfor ejecting the cigar bunch from the mold at the ejecting station ofsaid turret including a stationary support arranged within said turret,a stationary member secured to said support and extending radially ofsaid turret, a carrier slidably mounted on said memher, a series of pinssecured to said carrier and arranged, torxpassathrough,.theizperiorationsizin;. saiddzurret and. itheealigned;periorations;:of;;the;=. mold located. atz-th'e ejecting :stationpto'ejectathe; cigar bunch-z from said mold,:'a :devicedor moving? said.carrier outwardly. on:said ;member to eject the' -cigar bunch 'fromxthemold pocketat the; ejecting. station, said :carrier having ;a =pair l-oflateral projections,;and' said device. including at shaft extending intothe interior ofzsaiditurret-,

a camrleven fulcrumed onsaid shaft, 1a roller, on;

saidfcam. lever engaging. one-:of said projections, a'ccamiroller"on;sai'd lever,anda-rotatmg cam engaging said cam sroller whereby,saidnicarriert is operated to cause ejection of the cigar bunch; in:themold at, the ejecting station;

9.1 In a cigar. machine, the, combination with, ashollowintermittently.rotating :turret; oiaa: series. ;of.zmolds; onztheperipheryof saidturret each :of .said imoldsy-havin ;-a;,pocket; adapted to. receiveaicigar bunch, said molds and-saidturret: being provided withalignedperforations andthe perforations 'in lthe, molds, .communicatingg'with"said-pockets;- and -means::for rejecting: the {cigar-r; bunchrfrlom themold at the ejectingstatiomct saidturret including azstationarysupportaar-t ranged within "said turret, a" stationarymembersecured tosaid support and-extending; radially of said turret, a carrierslidablymounted on said member,-aseries *of pins secured to said: carrier andarranged'to'pass through the perforationsin said-:turretr andthe-aligned perforationsrof themold located at the ejecting station toeject the cigar bunch from said mold, a 'device'forimoving:

said: carrier outwardly on said membervto eject" thecigarbunch. from-.the;1mold pocket-at the: ejectingstatiompsaid carrier having a pair50ft lateral projections; and saidwdevice:includingfa shaft. extendingintothe interior of said: turret,

a :cam dever fulorumed on;said shaft, a .roller on: saidicam. leverengaging one :of said projections,

acam' roller on said lever, and a rotating camien-z gaginggsaid :camroller whereby-said carrier is.

operated to cause :ejection of the cigar 'bunchinithe-mold :atthe ejectingstation; said lateraLpro-r jections-ion' said carrier and said,cam lever having vertical flat surfacesaengaging each.iother 'to'"prevent turning oi'saidcarrier on said member;

one armpivotally'connected to one :pair of operating members, and theotherarm pivotally connected'to the other pair of operating members; anda device-for-rotating sa-idbell crank: whereby said operating memberswill Ice-simultaneously: operatedto move said shapers into and outofsaid non-adjoining pockets.

11. In. a cigar machine, a the. combination with a-revoluble-turret,iof-a series ofimolds on-rthe peeriphery of said turret, ieachlofsaid-moldshaving';

a. pocket ,adapted. .tosreceive a .cigar bunch, a plurality of-shapersadapted to coact with a pluralityi. of the pockets in said molds toshape 7 cigar bunches therein, pairs of operatingmem:

12; here rextending radialluofrsaidzturret,*eachpaimofiioperating.memberszibeing connected to the ends.- ofrone; :oflsaids5112138135); stationary-; supports, in

which; said 1 operating, members are; slidablyi' 1 mounted,;..ar.shaft..within said turret, a .apairzoi leversssecured on said shaft andpivotallyv ;connecteduito .,the...inner:.:-ends: of.-:;.one pairiiofsaid operatingmembers rlinks connecting said levers" tothe.;other:operating: members-,a constantly ro-t tating.cam,;and:azcamroller on. one of said levers engagingssai'dscam whereby saidoperating mem i bers will be simultaneously,operated'tQ move saidshapers'into and outiofrsai'd pockets:

12.;In amigar machine, the;;com-bination with; aahollowturret-iofxa.revoluble. support connectedi toeone send 0.01115? ;of. saids turret,:said -,revoluble;

supportzincludin a revolublev annular member secured-=to said turret-anda stationary annular. memben-ionsawhichzsaidw revolublerannular mem -ziber1-ismounted,;a series of molds secured on thev periphery 10ftsaidturret, :each Jofrsaid: molds hav;

ingga ipocketiadapted to receive a cigar bunch means.- .for:-.intermittently -,rotating said turret; to-v advance each of. said'Lmolds-successively to'a':

predetermined; -position, mechanism :within, the; turret includingastationary; support projecting;

into said turret through said revoluble-turret: support, an ejectorsli'dably'mounted on the stationary support anda rotating 'cain.operative to" move said ejectorto. eject cigar bunches from:eachofsaid-mold pockets. successively at a pre-: determined stationofsaid turret; a cigar-bunch transfer -adapted-:to .-grip a ,ci'ganbunchejected" from :saidturret, a stationary-support adjacent the. endof.the:turret which; is remote from said revoluble support, and .adevice slidably mounted inesaid stationary support and adaptedtd engagesaidtbunchi-transfer: to l causei-the :same to grip, a cigar.bunch-rejected from, hone-of :said mold pocketsby said mechanism..:.

13. Inia ici-garzimachine, the combination with airevoluble :turret oanseries of molds secured.

onitheiperiphery of said-turret, each of said molds. havinga pocketadapted toreceive a cigar bunch,

andwmeans forintermittently rotating said turrettoadvance eachof.said-moldsisuccessivelyto a .pluralityof stations, ,said' turretrotating means including ,a: constantly; rotating -indexing diskcoaxialmwithu-said turret .=and :rhaving a track .1 formed thereon,..aprimary .gea-r connected to. said turretaandboaxial therewith,aesecondary gears meshing. ,with .anddriving said primary gear; a:

rotary indexing member connected to and drivingsaid: second y ,gejar,vrollers mounted oni'said inde'xing;member eachuof .said rollers being,adapted toienga e. the track on said indexing disk successively wherebysaid indexing member will be turned and said turret Jwill beintermittently rotated, hands a, pivoted bracket, said 1 indexingmember. and-secondary gear being mounted on,"

said bracket whereby the latter may be turned aboutiitsipivot to adjustsaid rollers relatively to the-track'on .sa-id. indexing disk 14. In. accigarrmachine, the combination with .a hol1ow turret openat both ends,of -a bearing comprising, an inner: stationary raceand an outerrevoluble..race,. said stationary -race having a diameter substantiallyequal to the diameter of said turret onwhichbneend only of. said turretis; supported .whereby accessirnay be had to the interior. oictherturretthrougheither end thereof, and aseriesiof, molds on said turret; each ofsaid molds having a pocket adaptedto receive a cigar bunch,-

15.1111 a icigarumachine, the combination .with.-.

a hollow turret, of a stationary member having a circular peripherycoaxial with said turret and of substantially equal diameter, one endonly of said turret being revolubly mounted on the periphery of saidmember whereby access may be had to the interior of the turret throughthe end thereof which is remote from said member, a series of molds onsaid turret, each of said molds having a pocket adapted to receive acigar bunch, shapers adapted toenter the pockets in the molds to coacttherewith to shape cigar bunches-lcated therein, ejecting means to ejectcigar bunches from the pockets subsequent to said shaping, andconstantly rotating drive means mounted co-axially to said turret andadjacent said stationary member and simultaneously oper ating saidshapers and said ejecting device in properly timed relation.

16. In a cigar machine, the combination with a revoluble turret, of aseries of molds secured on the periphery ofsaid turret, each of saidmolds having a pocket adapted to receive a cigar bunch, and means forintermittently rotating said turret to advance each of said moldssuccessively to a plurality of stations, said means including aconstantly rotatingindexing disk coaxial with said turret and having atrack formed, thereon, a primary gear connected to said turret andcoaxialtherewith, a pivoted bracket, a'shaft in said bracket, a rotaryindexing membe'rfadjustably mounted on said shaft to permitcircumferential adjustment of said member relative to said shaft,rollers on said indexing member adapted to engage the track of saidindexing disk successively whereby said indexing member and said shaftwill be intermittently rotated, and apinion secured to said shaft andengaging said primary gear to transmit the intermittent rotation ,ofsaid indexing member to said turret and whereby said turret rotatingmeans may be adjusted in their operative positions by pivoting saidbracket and circumferentially adjusting said indexing member.

17. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hollow cylindricalturret, of means for detachably supporting an interchangeable series ofmolds of variable sizes, the molds of each series being of uniform size,each mold formed of a unitary piece of material and provided with apocket in its upper face extending from one end to the other end of themold, said pocket being adapted to admit a cigar bunch andhaving slotsformed in the ends of the pocket through which the ends of an insertedcigar bunch will protrude to permit the same to be trimmed.3the bottomface of the mold having a curvature concentric with the periphery of theturret to which the mold will be secured, the lateral faces of said moldextending along radii of the turret to which the mold will be securedwhereby said molds of each series may be assembled side by side on theperiphery of the turret and adjustable cutting means for trimming theprotrudingends of the cigar bunches, including a shaft and cuttingelement slidably mounted on said shaft, and means to secure said cuttingmeans in adjusted position in relation to a series of molds of agivensize so that molds of varying length may be adapted for use on saidturret of said cigar machine.

JOSEPH A. NEUMAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 266,024 Elges Oct. 17, 18821,024,632 Jenkins Apr. 30, 1912 1,464,316 Gillespie Aug. 7, 19231,571,968 Roby Feb. 9, 1926 1,785,822 Snyder Dec. 23, 1930 1,838,157Rundell Dec. 29, 1931 1,876,027 Schussler Sept. 6, 1932 1,927,466 MentonSept. 19, 1933 2,102,298 Wheeler Dec. 14, 1937 2,140,093 Stelzer Dec.13, 1938 2,241,069 Kasper May 6, 1941 2,327,020 Clauscn Aug. 17, 19432,334,174 Clauscn NOV. 16,1943 2,443,453 Halstead June .15. .1948

